BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG
Today is the ninth anniversary of the founding of my blog, Nature in Chicagoland, and I’m so happy to have written more than 300 articles about woods, wetlands, prairies, lakes, and other natural areas in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. I’m pleased that my articles on Nature in Chicagoland have received more than 110,000 views in its nine years, with most of these numbers being accrued in the last four years. I mention these statistics because what writer wouldn’t want readers. But it’s more gratifying to have visited so many wonderful nature destinations and share this information with people in the area. Don’t let anyone tell you that Chicagoland nature is boring.
During the past nine years, I’ve filled you in on how to see bison, sandhill cranes, ghosts, and rare and endangered species in the Midwest. I’ve interviewed nature authors, photographers, filmmakers, artists, politicians [including candidates for alderman, Chicago mayor, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago], and others who care about natural places in Chicagoland.
I’ve occasionally taken a break from nature to tell stories about my parents and beloved family and friends or discuss an issue that’s important to me—such as gun control; stopping gerrymandering by both political parties; saving a historical building or church; lamenting the tragic loss of life in Ukraine and trying to rally support for its people; and protecting the work of our nation’s hardworking journalists. One of the best parts of writing a blog (as opposed to writing books for other people—a big part of my day job) is the fact that I can write about whatever I want, and that’s a good feeling!
This past year, I wrote articles about the passing of my mom (see Saying Goodbye to My Mom: A Talented Gardener, All-Star Baker, and Avid Letter Writer—and an All-Around Wonderful Lady), the passing of one of my favorite baseball players (see A Few Thoughts to Celebrate the Life of Ryne Sandberg), and other topics. I also get to occasionally interview and spotlight great writers and books (see Interview/Book Review: Orla Mackey’s “Mouthing” Provides a Witty and Thoughtful Look at a Rural Irish Community).
Another great thing: getting the opportunity to talk with some very nice people about nature via the comments section of the site, as well as via email, on social media, and in person. It’s a satisfying feeling when someone you’ve never met from Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, or Chicagoland takes the time to comment on your blog or send you an email.
A few years ago, I published my book, Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit, which includes stories from the blog, but also covers more than 70 new places. It was fun to roam Chicagoland visiting nature sites of all types in order to conduct “research” for the book. I treasure Nature in Chicagoland because it’s a time capsule of our time with our son—from age six to age 11—in the outdoors. My nearly 16-year-old is now taller than me, which is both humbling and wonderful—as I watch him grow into a kind, thoughtful young man. It’s a little harder to get him to join me for hikes these days, but we’ve still had some fun adventures in the last year. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, my dad shared his love of nature with me, and in the 2010s and beyond, my wife and I were lucky enough to share it with my son. When he is older, I hope he continues to spread the word about the Chicagoland’s wonderful outdoors to his children and grandchildren.
It’s been a rewarding nine years, and I look forward to telling you about many of my favorite destinations in Chicagoland over the next year. Look for stories on Harlem Hills Nature Preserve, Lowden State Park, Kankakee River State Park, Rock Cut State Park, and much more in year 10.
But before I move on, here were the most popular nature posts of the first nine years at Nature in Chicagoland (based on reader views).
1. Nine Places to See Bison in the Midwest
2. Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve: The Wildest Place in Cook County
3. Palmisano Park: A Hidden Gem in Chicago
5. Nippersink Creek Provides a Great Kayaking or Canoeing Adventure Just an Hour From Chicago
6. Eleven Things to Do at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
7. Red Gate Woods: Hawks and Hills, Sloughs and Snakes, and Ghosts and Buried Nuclear Waste, Oh My!
8. 7 Things to Do at Rock Run Rookery Preserve
9. Black Partridge Woods: Cool Ravines, Great Hiking, and 6 Other Reasons to Visit
10. West Ridge Nature Preserve: An Oasis in Chicago
Top Non-Nature stories
Here were the 15 most-popular non-nature stories at “Nature in Chicagoland” based on reader views:
1. My Personal Ghost Story, Ghosts of Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs, and 11 Spots for Post-Ghost-Tour Fun
2. Saying Goodbye to Our Lady of Victory and Hoping to Save an Architecturally Significant Building
3. Visit Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery Not Only for Spooks and Scares, But Also For Its Rich Local History
4. Remembering David Fode (the story of one of my best friends, who passed away suddenly…a great artist and even better human being)
6. Visit to Lincoln Cemetery Reveals Rich African American Aviation History
7. Remembering Lin Brehmer and the Time I Made Him Laugh
8. Take a Drive to the Volo Auto Museum for Vintage Cars and a Blast of Americana
9. Elegy for a 100-Year-Old Red Brick House
10. “The Loop Files” Tells the Inside Story of a Groundbreaking Chicago Radio Station
11. Remembering Past Thanksgiving Celebrations and the Life of a Great Man
12. Michael McDermott’s Memoir, Scars From Another Life, Tells the Story of His Addiction and Redemption
13. Celebrating the Artistic Excellence of My Beloved Friend, David Fode
14. I Survived—and Thrived—on a 38-Hour Roundtrip Amtrak Journey
15. On the Death of A.J. Freund and Healing the World
Thanks for reading and supporting Nature in Chicagoland. Have a great year outdoors!
Copyright (text/photos) Andrew Morkes
Except photos of eagle and egret, copyright USFWS
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Looking for some other great nature destinations in Chicagoland? If so, check out my book, Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit. It features amazing destinations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Click on the title to learn more. The book has 306 pages and 210+ photos and is only $19.99.
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ABOUT ANDREW MORKES
I have been a writer and editor for more than 30 years. I’m the founder of College & Career Press (2002); the author and publisher of “The Morkes Report: College and Career Planning Trends” blog; and the author and publisher of Hot Health Care Careers: 30 Occupations With Fast Growth and Many New Job Openings; Nontraditional Careers for Women and Men: More Than 30 Great Jobs for Women and Men With Apprenticeships Through PhDs; They Teach That in College!?: A Resource Guide to More Than 100 Interesting College Majors, which was selected as one of the best books of the year by the library journal Voice of Youth Advocates; and other titles. They Teach That in College!? provides more information on environmental- and sustainability-related majors such as Ecotourism, Range Management, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Built Environment, Sustainability Studies, and Sustainable Agriculture/Organic Farming. I also served as a member of the parent advisory board at my son’s school for five years.
In addition to these publications, I’ve written more than 70 books about careers for other publishing and media companies including Infobase (such as the venerable Encyclopedia of Careers & Vocational Guidance, the Vault Career Guide to Accounting, and many volumes in the Careers in Focus, Discovering Careers, What Can I Do Now?!, and Career Skills Library series) and Mason Crest (including those in the Careers in the Building Trades and Cool Careers in Science series).
Here’s a list of the environmental-focused titles that I’ve written:
- Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit
- Wind Turbine Technicians (Great Careers Without a Bachelor’s Degree series)
- Environmental Scientists (Cool Careers in Science series)
- Renewable Energy Careers (Cool Careers in Science series)
- Environment (Getting Started series)
- Solar Power Technicians (Careers in Infrastructure series)